Nyanza Religious Leaders Threaten Civil Disobedience Over Alleged Government Failures

Religious leaders from the Nyanza region on Monday, November 18, issued a stern warning to President William Ruto’s administration, threatening to mobilize Kenyans for civil disobedience if alleged mismanagement and oppression continue.

The leaders expressed concern over the country’s trajectory, urging the President to implement urgent measures to address the challenges facing citizens. They warned that failure to act would leave them with no option but to rally their supporters for civil unrest.

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“The nation has witnessed unprecedented oppression in recent times, fueled by the commercialization of political leadership. Opposition voices in Nyanza have been virtually silenced following the creation of a broad-based government,” part of their statement read.

The clergy also aligned themselves with sentiments shared by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) just four days earlier. The Catholic bishops had criticized Ruto’s administration for alleged corruption, over-taxation, and failure to fulfill campaign promises.

Eight Irreducible Demands

During the press briefing, the Nyanza religious leaders presented eight key demands aimed at improving the welfare of Kenyans. Many of these echoed the grievances raised by the Catholic bishops, who accused the government of neglecting critical issues.

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Key concerns included:

• Failure to settle debts owed by the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to faith-based medical facilities.
• Delays in reconstituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
• Plans to extend the term limit of elected leaders from five to seven years.
• Increased fees for missionary work permits, which they argued would hinder their activities.

The religious leaders emphasized that addressing these issues required prioritizing prudent use of collected revenues and enforcing austerity measures to curb over-expenditure.

Anglican and Muslim Leaders Join the Debate

The religious critique of the government has sparked mixed reactions among other faith groups. On Sunday, Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) bishops initially criticized their Catholic counterparts for publicizing grievances, deeming it disrespectful to President Ruto. However, by Monday, ACK leaders had reversed their stance, expressing full support for the Catholic bishops’ statement.

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Muslim leaders from the North Rift also came to the defense of the Catholic bishops, urging the government to heed the advice of religious leaders. “It is not just the duty of Catholic bishops but of all religious leaders to speak out when things are not right,” said one representative.

Unlikely Support from Atheists

In an unexpected move, the Atheists in Kenya Society also voiced support for the Catholic bishops, condemning the government for fostering a culture of dishonesty. “Integrity is slowly being replaced by lies,” they stated.

As criticism against the administration mounts from diverse groups, religious leaders have underscored their united role as watchdogs for accountability and good governance in Kenya.